Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Visitors at zoos have an effect on zoo animals' behaviour and enclosure utilisation. This is something that most studies agree on, but whether that effect is positive or negative is disputed and seems to depend on many different elements ranging from species to habitat to routines at the zoo. The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a small predator that is held at zoos mainly for conservation purposes and some studies indicate that the red panda is a species that is not very affected by visitors.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the visitor effect on the two red pandas at Nordens Ark and also if they were affected by the newly built viewing tower for children next to their enclosure. This study was performed over a period of eleven days in April 2022 during which the zoo was open for the public as well as visited by several school classes. Observations were performed using scan-sampling with one minute intervals and registered in the software ZooMonitor in which the red pandas’ behaviour and position in the enclosure were recorded. From ZooMonitor heat maps showing the red pandas’ enclosure utilisation were created as well as graphs showing their behaviour budget.
The results of this study indicate that these two red pandas were affected by visitors as they were less active on days with intense visitor behaviours as well as showing more behavioural variation on calmer days. In comparison to a previous study done on these individuals they also seemed to avoid the parts of the enclosure closest to the new tower, which they previously utilised more.